WR Mike Williams signs 6-year, $40 million extension with Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a six-year, $40.25 million contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The five-year extension runs through the 2018 season. Williams, 26, was entering the final year of his rookie contract.

"We are pleased to have Mike signed to a long-term contract that ensures he will continue to be part of the exciting young core of players we are building around," Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said.

"Mike has earned this contract through his hard work and production the past three seasons and we are looking forward to seeing him continue that career development as a Buccaneer."

Williams had expressed his desire to remain with the Buccaneers and tweeted a video of his locker on Wednesday morning with the hashtag, "#ItsABucsLife."

A fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse in 2010, Williams has caught 193 passes for 2,731 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons while playing in every game. His 23 TDs are the most by any Tampa Bay player after three years in the league.

In 2012, Williams finished with 63 catches for 996 yards (15.8 yards per catch) and a team-leading nine receiving touchdowns.

Together with teammate Vincent Jackson, the two form one of the better receiving tandems in the NFL.